Osteoclastoma of the femur

Abstract

Osteoclastoma or giant cell tumour of bone is a relatively infrequent neoplasm. It is generally regarded as being benign, in the sense that as a rule it does not metastasize; however, there is no doubt that a malignant variant which metastasizes does exist. It is claimed that as many as 15-20% of all osteoclastomas are malignant. The tumour usually arises at the end of a long bone, invariably the epiphyses with secondary involvement of the methaphyseal area. It is typically an osteolytic lesion that produces some expansion of the bone end. The most common sites of origin are depicted in Fig. I. which is based upon a survey of 97 cases carried out by Dahlin. The age incidence is usually between 20-55 years, with a predominance of cases in the third decade. Young children and the elderly are seldom affected. Males are affected as frequently as females.